13/10/08 - The battle for the 2008 Pacenotes MSA Northern Ireland Rally Championship crown could be decided in the County Down forests this Saturday as the three main contenders go head to head at the FM Contracts Down Rally!

Strabane's Sean Devine heads the series standings and a repeat of his 2005 Down Rally victory would see him put the title beyond the reach of his rivals.

However, young Conor McCloskey is beginning to come of age in his maiden season behind the wheel of a World Rally Car. After claiming his maiden victory at the McGillin Bushwhacker Rally just a few weeks ago, the 22-year-old Kilrea man is on the hunt for win number two.

Then there's reigning champion Glenn Allen who has scored consistently during the season. He lies second going into the penultimate round, but when 'dropped' scores come into play, he will struggle to retain his crown unless he wins the FM Contracts event.

In the Sunoco Fuels Group N category, Comber's Neil McCance is missing from the entry list as the event clashes with a round of the UK's Evo Challenge. His absence could provide the perfect opportunity for a number of men to capitalise, with Cathal Rogers, Brian McFall and Alan Carmichael all within striking distance in championship terms.

The battle for Superdrive two-wheel-drive honours will be equally intense, with a number of two-wheel-drive men capable of taking the spoils. However, those in the smaller capacity cars will lead the field away, with Oran Donnelly and Paul Hughes having the honour of running first on the road in their rear-wheel-drive Fiesta.

The FM Contracts Down Rally has thrown up some surprise results in the past. Sean Devine won the inaugural event in 2005, finished runner-up in 2006 and retired with suspension failure last year. Meanwhile, Glenn Allen overturned his Toyota Corolla WRC during last year's event while chasing Richard Cathcart, who went on to win in a Group N Subaru.

Can the new kid on the block, Conor McCloskey, show the rally regulars the quickest route home by sealing a second consecutive series victory? All will be revealed this Saturday when the first car leaves the Castlewellan start ramp at 8.30am. Competitors will face seven stages, and spectator maps are available for download here.